It is a crisp, cool fall morning. You step into your favorite coffee shop and order a delicious seasonal drink — perhaps a pumpkin spice latte. Yum! The drink’s comforting flavor and hot temperature are the perfect complements for the season. However, as you sip on your steaming beverage, you begin to wonder, “Are hot drinks bad for my teeth?” Let’s discuss the answer to that important question.
Hot Drinks and Dental Sensitivity
To begin with, you should understand that a drink’s temperature has little to do with whether it is bad for your teeth. If hot beverages make your teeth hurt, that is likely because you have thin enamel. You may even have a cavity that your dentist needs to address. Such issues allow hot and cold foods and beverages to irritate the nerves in your teeth and send pain signals to your brain.
However, just because a drink’s temperature won’t damage your teeth, that doesn’t mean you can sip on anything you want and expect your dental health to survive the season unscathed.
The Dangers of Popular Hot Drinks
There are three dangers that come with most popular hot drinks:
- If you order a grande pumpkin space latte from Starbucks, you’re consuming 50 grams of sugar. That is more than the total recommended daily intake of sugar! Not only is that bad for your waistline, but it is also horrible for your teeth. All of that sugar combines with the bacteria in your mouth to create plaque. The plaque, in turn, produces acids that eat away at tooth enamel.
- Some drinks have a high acid content. Tea, coffee, and apple cider are all acidic, which means they can damage your tooth enamel if you drink them in excess.
- Many seasonal hot drinks have the potential to discolor your teeth, especially tea and coffee.
Protect Your Teeth This Fall
If you can’t say no to your favorite seasonal lattes and other hot drinks, apply these tips to protect your smile this fall:
- Order a smaller size and/or ask your barista if a sugar-free option is available.
- Enjoy your beverage through a straw in order to minimize the liquid’s contact with your teeth.
- Sip on some water after you finish your drink.
- Don’t take a long time to finish your drink. The longer it takes you to consume it, the longer your teeth will be exposed to acid.
- Visit your dentist for a checkup and ask for personalized guidance on how to maintain a healthy smile in every season.
You don’t have to swear off pumpkin spice lattes and similar drinks — but you should exercise caution. Enjoy sweet and acidic beverages in moderation so your smile can thrive throughout this autumn and beyond.
About the Author
Dr. Bryan Griffith is an accomplished general dentist in Prestonsburg. He is always ready to help his patients prevent and address any dental issues. If you have questions about how to care for your teeth this fall, of it is time for your next checkup, contact our office at 606-874-9311.